Gerrard needs help from his team-mates, says Liverpool boss Rodgers

By Carl Markham, Press Association

PUBLISHED: 19:48 EST, 29 November 2012 | UPDATED: 19:48 EST, 29 November 2012

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has called on his players to ease the burden captain Steven Gerrard has been carrying for more than a decade.

Over the years the 32-year-old has been the driving force in the Reds midfield, scoring crucial goals and producing performances which have dragged his side through some important games.

In the thick of it: Steven Gerrard of Liverpool challenges Mousa Dembele of Tottenham

In the thick of it: Steven Gerrard of Liverpool challenges Mousa Dembele of Tottenham

He has found the net just three times this season - though his two in the league make him joint second highest-scorer with own goals - and has yet to reproduce his best form but Rodgers believes it is time some of his team-mates helped out more.

'He's carried this club for nearly 13 years and it's about time that there was more than Steven picking up the baton of responsibility,' said the Northern Irishman.

'He's been brilliant since I arrived here. His inspiration and leadership within the team has been phenomenal.

'He might not have got the goals that he wanted this season, but you saw him last night (in the 2-1 defeat at Tottenham) - his range of passing, commitment and drive into the box was superb.

'He has been judged on his goals because he's been a goalscoring midfielder over the years, but he's still offering this group so much on and off the field.

'There are others that we want to step up to the plate and get the goals.

'Across the board we want to improve and find the solutions.'

 

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Before laying into Gerrard, I'd like to know what instructions BR has given the midfield. All the sideways and back passes in our own half. Lack of off the ball movement, and generally slow motion displays by Gerrard and Allen seem to be part of the new tactics.

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What about the cycling psychiatrist you have engaged to help your mis-firing squad. Or is she only for the small-name players and you daren't suggest Gerrard and Suarez et al join in the tomfoolery? It is no longer fun or even funny,to make fun of a once-great team and a once-good player. To watch Liverpool implode is becoming painful now and I for one wish they would get back to winning ways and then I can criticise without feeling as if I am kicking a little puppy.

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Sorry but Gerrard is beginning to look a bit jaded, a problem at this stage of the season, he could probably do with a complete break for a couple of weeks, he would not agree obviously, but I think Liverpool would benefit in the long term.

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Wow, some of these delusional fans think dropping Gerrard will improve Liverpools results lol. Gerrard is not the same player he was 5 years ago but he is still miles ahead of Allen, Sahin, Shelvey and Henderson all put together. We have a left back playing as a winger and a winger playing as a left back. Henderson only plays piggy in the middle every time he is on the pitch. Sterling is still very raw and inexperienced, Shelvey is a poor mans Steven Gerrard whilst Joe Allen is completely out of his depth. Sahin is only perceived to be good because of the club he came from and nothing else. The guy has talent but he is not a world beater by any stretch of the imagination. Gerrard should have left the club a long time ago and he does not deserve to be made the scapegoat by these undeserving fans. Last year it was Carragher and now it is Gerrard.

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I watched SG carefully in the last three matches and Gabriel is spot on.There was one wonder pass and countless where he gave the ball way. He spent most of the match walking way behind the play. Either the injuries have caught up with him or it's his age? Hopefully it's temporary as it's sad to watch at the moment.

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Legend over the years, but i see Stevie's role now as more of an impact sub. Physically, i don't think he can play as he has done an hour last week against Young Boys, and full games against Swansea and Spurs. It's unfair on him as a player.

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He should not be starting games. He's no where near sharp enough to play 90 minutes these days. It's been great Steve but...

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Brendan !! Did you see the totenham match? Sg was walking on the ground, bad passing, no lionel messi runs, not winning ball. Such a horrid player and captain. Not a sign of player with potential, present or future. Give the other deserving players captaincy and you might just yield good results. Time for change.

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Gerrard is in his way out. Red arrows come my way, but the fact of the matter is that he can't go on forever.

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